Neighbour of the Year

2022
SPONSORED BY
Dandara

THE type of neighbours you have can really make a difference.

 

This award could be for someone who has done anything from the extraordinary to the very simple, or someone who has cared for their neighbours, helped them keep their neighbourhood safe or simply made a positive difference in their community. You could be an elderly pensioner, living alone, who is reassured by the fact you have a reliable and trustworthy neighbour close by. Or you might have a very understanding neighbour who is happy to tolerate the busy family home in which you live. No matter where we live in Jersey, we live in a neighbourhood and the people at the heart of those communities should be celebrated.

NOMINATE FOR THIS CATEGORY
VISIT DANDARA

Neighbour of the Year

2022 FINALISTS
Neighbour
of the Year
finalists
SPONSORED BY

Andy Le Marquand

winner

Laura Poingdestre

finalist

Margaret Jones

finalist

Laura Poingdestre

Nominated by Heather Hamilton

LAURA Poingdestre has been nominated for Neighbour of the Year, and was described as ‘such a wonderful human’ by her nominator, Heather Hamilton.  

Ms Hamilton added: ‘Laura is the type of person who is always willing to help. She is a true example of what a good neighbour is; she is someone who is a real soul of our community and I know anyone who meets her will agree.’  

Ms Hamilton said whether it was helping to look after children, having a moment to chat or just borrowing a cup of sugar, Ms Poingdestre was ‘so considerate and reliable’. 

She also said that her nominee was known in the neighbourhood as an advocate for music, and performed in bands. She won first place for creating a Jersey cow guitar for the ‘Great Guitar Build Off’ charity fundraiser, which drew inspiration from her love of the Island. Ms Hamilton added: ‘She is just so perfect – you can always count on her.’

Maria Gouveia

Nominated by Gavin Raffray

MARIA Gouveia has been nominated for Neighbour of the Year by Gavin Raffray, who described her as a ‘godsend’. Mr Raffray and his wife said they were unable to do much themselves – due to illness and recent surgeries – but that Mrs Gouveia always insisted on bringing food or helping them around the garden whenever she could.

Mr Raffray added: ‘She does the gardening, watering, weeding and cuts the grass as neither of us can. She even turned up at 10pm once to give us some food she had spare. Plus she’s also a good laugh and keeps our spirits up during very trying times.’

Mr and Mrs Raffray said they had been able to live more comfortably and could rest after their recent operations.

They added: ‘Maria is one of a kind, a force of nature and full of life. She really has a heart of gold and we can’t thank her enough.’

Margaret Jones

Nominated by Margaret Romeril

NEIGHBOUR of the Year nominee Margaret Jones has been put forward by Margaret Romeril, who described her as a loving carer for her husband who always had time for others.  

‘Whether it’s shopping or doing little DIY jobs, like fixing light bulbs or watering window flowers, anything we ask her to do she is always there,’ said Ms Romeril, who explained that Mrs Jones had a generous ‘green thumb’, and grew various vegetables in pots outside her flat and offered them to everyone.  

Ms Romeril said that Mrs Jones was also known to have great Christmas spirit and decorated the inside of the building, putting Christmas lights along the first floor balcony for everyone to enjoy. She added: ‘She is also a Sunday school teacher at the church, and loves doing creative activities when taking care of the children. How she finds time to do it all is incredible. She deserves to be Neighbour of the Year, as she always puts a smile on everyone’s face.’

Andy Le Marquand

Nominated by Roger Baudin

Neighbour of the Year nominee Andy Le Marquand has been described as a ‘legend’.
His nominator, Roger Baudin, said: ‘I have had cancer for a period of time and Andy has helped me out with upkeep around the house and with the pets.
‘He looks after my dog and feeds our chickens when I go to my chemotherapy sessions, radiotherapy sessions or other appointments at the Hospital.
‘Even when I have to fly to Southampton, nothing is too much trouble for Andy and he always goes out of his way to help.
‘There isn’t a lot of warning for when I have to fly out for appointments and he never says no to helping out last minute.
‘He also checks up on how I’m doing and is just a really good neighbour.’
Mr Baudin added: ‘He’s a life saver and such a nice guy, so I want to thank him for all he’s done, and for people to know how much he does for others.’

Neighbour of the Year

VOTE FOR YOUR 2022 FINALISTS

© 2022 JEP Media

Privacy Policy